Variable timer switch



Aug. 7, 1956 R. J. AUST ETAL VARIABLE TIMER SWITCH Filed A ril 14, 1955 United States Patent VARIABLE TIMER SWITCH Robert J. Aust and William K. Newman, Indianapolis,

Ind., assignors to P. R. Mallory & 'Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application April '14, 1953, Serial No. 348,790

22 Claims. (Cl. 200-38) This invention relates to timer or program selector switches and has particular reference to such switches including means and methods for controlling the time sequence of operations embodied in devices such as domestic washing machines and other similar appliances.

In the case of automatic washing machines, for example, it is possible to soak clothes, wash with soap, rinse with water of varying thermal characteristics, and then to finally spin-dry the same in accordance with a definite program set forth in the construction of the switch. However, in many cases it is desirable to be able to adjust the length of time for one of the cycles, for example the washing cycle, so that the duration of said cycle may be variably adapted to correspond to the type of material and the character of the apparel under treatment.

The present invention is directed toward meeting the aforesaid criterion for providing an adjustable time duration in one of the aforesaid cycles of the selected program and comprises the provision of a molded cam having a multiplicity of cam tracks placed on the circumferential surface thereof, which cam tracks correspond to the periods of differing length that may be selected.

This multiple tracked cam is mounted in a rotationless fashion on the switch shaft, but is capable of sliding displacement in the axial direction. The selection of the desired cam track is accomplished by pulling out the shaft of the switch axially, thereby opening the line switch and then rotating the knob. Rotation of the knob will cause axial displacement of the first multiple track cam by the cooperation of cam surfaces provided in one of the end faces of said cam with a stationary pin. After the desired wash period has been selected, the shaft is pushed in, in order to start the operation of the timer switch. It is thus possible in the utilization of the aforesaid multiple track cam switch to positively select and determine an operation of any desired cycle for operating the electrical circuit connected thereto.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved program switch or timer mechanism for controlling the sequential operation in an automatic fashion of associated electrical apparatus and wherein variable adjusting means is included for adjusting the length of time of one of the operations of the controlled sequential cycle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved timer switch for sequentially operating a plurality of electrical circuits and wherein one of said circuits may be operated between a maximum and minimum time duration as desired according to the ad justment made in said switch.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide in an automatic sequence timer switch means for predeterminedly selecting any portion of one of the cycles incorporated in the program of said sequential operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cam type sequential timer switch for use in program controllable apparatus and wherein a 2,758,16ii Patented Aug. 7, 1956 ice cycle of said program has alterable time characteristics corresponding to the varying needs of the instrumentalities placed in the control apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide in an automatic timer device, including a plurality of electrical circuits, means for activating said circuits by cams, one of which cams has been constructed so as to afford predetermined lengths of activation for the electrical circuits associated therewith, said lengths being positively determined and indexable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical circuit timing mechanism for operating associated apparatus according to a sequence time program and wherein a plurality of radial cams has one of said cams adjustable with respect to the other and wherein a series of integrally formed steps have been formed for determining the length of time during which said cam will be operative.

The invention, in another of its aspects, relates to novel features of the instrumentalities described herein for teaching the principal object of the invention and to the novel principles employed in the instrumentalities whether or not these features and principles may be used in the said object and/or in the said field.

Other objects of the invention and the nature thereof will become apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing and wherein like reference characters describe elements of similar function therein and wherein the scope of the invention is determined rather from the dependent claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention with portions thereof broken away as adapted illustratively to point out several novel features thereof;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the subject invention as presented in Figure l and as taken along line 22 thereof as particularly adapted to illustrate the functional and constructional arrangement of the auxiliary cam and slide bar of the instant switch;

Figure 3 is a profile view of the slidable auxiliary cam used in the present invention and as adapted to illustrate the circumferential and frontal constructional features thereof and as adapted to provide the separate variable activation periods of said timer switch;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the switch shown in Figure 1 hereof, as taken along line 4-4, so as to provide an illustration for the index cam and stop lever assembly of the switch as adapted to cooperate with the auxiliary cam in order to provide positive indexing and holding of the various variable time sequential operations of the auxiliary cam; and

Figure 5 is a representation of the adjustment of portions of the auxiliary cam tracks as cooperating with adjacent contactors to provide varying activation thereof for a predetermined period of time.

Generally speaking, the present invention of a variable time switch comprises driver motor to which a driver shaft is connected. A plurality of cams on said shaft are adapted to be moved thereby in a manner such as to activate a series of electrical circuits in sequence by means of switches associated therewith. In cooperation with the fixed cams, there is provided an auxiliary cam movable axially with reference to these cams along the shaft. This auxiliary cam provides a unique facial and circumferential configuration which working with a novel indexing and holding means determines in a predetermined fashion the variable time extent which said cam will actuate an associated electrical switch.

The circumferential surface of the auxiliary cam includes a plurality of radial tracks, each of different extent placed concentrically thereon, while the inner plane surface of the cam includes a series of cam steps which allows the axial displacement of the cam with reference to said switch. This determines which track of the cam is placed against the switch to actuate the same.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is described herein, it is contemplated that considerable variation may be made in the method of procedure and the construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings, and more specifically to Figure l, the time switch mechanism illustrated comprises an electric clock motor lit a gear train lll driven thereby and a shaft 12 carrying a series of fixed cams such as 13 driven by the gear train. A series of cam following contact arms such as M are mounted upon insulating plates 15 comprising part of the switch housing and engage the cams so as to be controlled thereby. A manual control knob may be mounted on the front end of the shaft 12 for manually setting the shaft with its associated cams.

Considering the structure in greater detail the clock motor ltd may be mechanical or electrical but is preferably a small synchronous electric motor such as is quite extensively used for clocks and timing apparatus. A pair of electrical terminals 16 mounted on the outside of the casing of the motor afford a means of connecting it to a suitable A. C. power source.

Gear train it may preferably be the gear train shown and described in Patent 2,3l3,064, issued November 9, 1943. As shown therein the clock motor drives a mechanism comprising part of the gear train which stores up energy of the motor for a predetermined period and then utilizes that energy to rapidly advance the last gear of the train for a short distance. A pinion is mounted on the shaft of the last gear to rotate therewith and hence is also periodically advanced a short distance. Gear 19, rigidly attached to the inner end of shaft 12, meshes with this pinion and is also intermittently advanced thereby.

It is thus evident that a plurality of fixed cams 13 which are rigidly mounted on shaft 12 are periodically advanced through a few degrees of their rotation by the clock motor and gear train mechanism. As shown in Fig. 1, these fixed cams 13 may be supported and spaced apart by means of rings or sleeves such as 21 3 and adapted to rotate with the shaft. The cams may be fabricated of sheet insulating material such as Bakelite or the like. in the frame supporting and enclosing the various parts there is included a pair of metal plates 21 and 22 spaced apart and clamped by means of bolts and cooperating spacing sleeves 2 Cams 1? and auxiliary cam 25, as hereinafter described, are contained between the two metal plates. Shaft 12 has its inner end bearing on the gear train housing and passes through plates 21 and 22 to afford a projecting end to which a manual control knob may be attached for marking and prescribing the desired duration of time as more fully explained hereinafter. The edges of said plates 2 and 22 are similarly cut with corresponding notches to accommodate insulating plates 15 and 15 which form two opposite side walls to the cam housing to support the contact arms and to afford locking means 28 for a pair of dust c vers', not shown.

The cam following contact arms are formed from sheet metal stamping and comprise strips of sheet metal. of uniform width at the ends but having widened portions 32 at an intermediate point thereof. Each of these contact arms 14 is riveted by means of a rivet to the inside face of its supporting insulating plate l5, l and ha attached thereto an ear or soldering lug to which electric circuit leads may be connected. As stated, the midportion of the arms is provided with an enlargement 32 so that the arm is of greater width at this point. A cam following arm or tongue 37 is punched out of the middle of the arm at its widened point and bent down at approximately a degree angle so that the square end rides on the edge of its cooperating cam. The free end of the contact arm M is provided with a contact head or disc 38 capable of engagement with a cooperating contact 39.

The cams 13 have their outer edges individually cut with predetermined notches and surfaces to can] actuate contact arms 14 in a predetermined sequence. Each of the cams activates a circuit which will perform one of a series of operations in the selected program sequence, for err-- ample, of a washing machine. Thus, one cam will initiate and determine the extent of the washing cycle, another the rinse cycle and still another the agitate cycle. The time extent, therefore of each of these operations is normally fixed and non-variable, since each cam is unalterably shaped and contoured.

Means to predeterminedly select positively a definite but varying time interval for each operation has been provided in the present switch and by improved instrumentalities therein. Since if any time variation is derived by the operator, it is usually in the wash operation of the laundering cycle, where the type of material may necessitate the same. Attention will be, therefore, directed to this operation as being merely illustrative of any other of the operations involved.

In order to obtain a plurality of variable time intervals which may be selectively indexed and positively fixed, an auxiliary cam assembly operative in conjunction with the fixed cams, usual in washing machine switches, is provided. The auxiliary cam 25 of said cam assembly comprises a unitarily molded cam structure ll) having a plurality of concentrically (littering tracks '76), Ti. and i2, circumferentially extending therealong, and as shown in Figure 3.

A conical compression spring 41 is placed between the auxiliary cam of the assembly and one of the fixed cams 13 of the switch. The auxiliary cam assembly further includes several other novel components such as an on and Off switch actuating bar 4?; which is made of insulative material and is adapted to contain between its walls a fixed cam and said auxiliary cum. There are also included. a cam bracket i? adapted to ride on the frontal face of the auxiliary cam and a slide bar l -3 which is adapted to cooperate with the stepped huh at. of the cam to obtain axial displacement thereof along th hair. Further, a lock pin 45, an indexing spring guide a second guide pin 47, together with an index cam are provided and are utilized in order to obtain the desired operation of the entire cam assembly. There are also included a line switch on and off spring 5th and an index spring 5i which cooperate with the shaft grooves to define the actual displacement of said shaft. A guide pin 52 is connected to the front plate 22 of the switch while spring 53 cooperates with guide bar to hold the same against the stepped hub 6i. A staking washer is seen to circumscribe the shaft and is affixed to cam 13. in addition, a stop lever 55, a loading spring 6?; connected thereto, and a latcn mechanism 66 are utilized to cooperate with index cars 63 of indexing cam 48 so as to positively define any one of the several time positions to which the work cycle may be set.

In the figures of the drawing, especially Figure 3, there is illustrated the novel construction of the auxiliary cam included by the present invention of the variable timer switch. Heretofore, in order to accomplish the several steps of obtaining a variable time sequence, a multiplicity of different cams had been needed, each of said cams having a cam surface extent actuating a switch for a period dependent upon the time interval desired, Since a multiple number of steps would be required there were, of course, complicated procedures for mounting the same upon a shaft to obtain alignment between the several cams, which procedures and constructional features necessitated added complexities of operation and increased cost factors.

The auxiliary cam 25 of the present invention is novelly constructed to fulfill all the requirements of a multiplicity of cams as hereinbefore stated with, however, the great advantage of eliminating many of the costly alignment procedures and mounting problems attendant therewith and as well as decreasing the cost therefor. The cam 25 is unitarily molded so as to substantially define three conjoined cooperative assemblies; namely, circumferential variable switch actuating surfaces, a stepped hub for indexing and fixing which of the circumferential surfaces may be operative as required, and a frontal cam step assembly 60 which cooperate with a cam bracket so as to define the axial spatial displacement of the auxiliary cam with reference to its adjacent fixed cam 13.

The circumferential surface 120 extends from inner surface 90 of the cam a substantial width and includes a multiplicity of separate tracks 70, 71 and 72 individually selected so as to afford the necessary time of activation for associated switch mechanism. The auxiliary cam 25 is included within actuating bar 42 by means of its side walls 80 and 81 and end wall 82. End wall 82 is placed outside of fixed cam 13' and is adapted to be stopped thereby. The cam bar 42 is open-ended and includes within its open end the auxiliary cam 25. Between auxiliary cam 25 and fixed cam 13', a conical spring 41 circumscribes said shaft and is contained between the surfaces of said cams which may be radially grooved to contain its ends. Cam 13 and cam 25 are locked together by means of a guide pin 45 one end of which is fixed or staked to cam 13' at 49 while its other end is insertable within an aperture 83 of the auxiliary cam. By this means, pin 45 penetrates the aperture and is held in an essentially substantially fixed manner therein by means of its staking to cam 13. As a result thereof auxiliary cam 25 is unable to be moved in a radial or angular manner but, however, is adapted to move with reference to fixed cam 13' axially along the shaft of the switch against the compression of spring 41.

As stated previously, auxiliary cam 25 has a stepped hub arrangement comprising a plurality of individual hubs 85, 85' and 85", unitarily joined to each other but with each of the hubs having a progressively lesser diametric dimension than its neighbor. Each of the surfaces of hubs 85, 85' and 85" are connected to each other by means of shoulders, such as 86. The hub is unitarily molded substantially at the center of the auxiliary cam and is adapted to receive shaft 12 therethru. Adjacent thereto and joined to the inner wall 90 of auxiliary cam 25 is an indexing cam 60 of anvil-like shape having side walls 121, 122 comprising inclined tapered slope 90, mid slope 90 and end slope 90", each integrally joined to each other. Here, too, the slopes are constructed to determine the selected amount of axial displacement necessary to define which one of the circumferential surfaces is adapted to cooperate with the actuator switch as shown by a, b, or c, of Fig 5. This axial displacement is effectuated by means of a cam bracket 43 comprising an extension 100 penetrating the front plate 22 of the switch through an aperture 101, a portion 102 bent substantially at right angles thereto and running along the inside surface of front plate 22, and a finger portion 104 including a plurality of steps 105, 106 and 107 on both sides of center portion 108. This one side of the steps is shown in Fig. 3. Finger portion 104 is thus adapted to cooperate with the frontal cam step assembly 60 of the auxiliary cam to define the axial displacement thereof along the shaft of the switch.

In order to positively maintain the axial displacement, the stepped hub becomes important. Each of the steps of the hub will determine the locking position of the auxiliary cam so as to determine the circumferential surface which will activate its associated switch as shown in positions a, b, or c in Fig. 5. A slide bar 44 mounted on the inside surface of the front plate of the switch and contained by means of guide pin 52 and steps 106 on both sides of the finger portion of the cam bracket locks with a selected step of the hub against a shoulder thereof so as to rigidly maintain the axial position selected. The slide bar has a central slot portion 125 to which a sinuated bracket portion 126, having tines 127 and 128, and an augulated portion 129 are integrally connected, so that it is adapted to ride laterally on guide pin 52 and step 106 of bracket 43.

A spring 53 is contained by slide bar 44 and cam bracket 43 so as to hold the slide bar against the inside face of the front face of the switch. In cooperation therewith and as specifically shown in Figure 4, there is provided an indexing mechanism including a stop lever 55 pivotally mounted at the back of the switch by means of a bolt 107 and a nut 108. The lever 55' is constructed of metal and comprises a central portion 110 and arm 111 and hook 112 integrally connected to each other. A loading spring 62 is connected and held within groove 113 of stop lever 55 and attached to an extension 115 staked to the wall 21 of the switch. Cooperating with lever 55 is a triangular shaped latch mechanism 66. A protuberance 116 of hook 112 extends from the center portion of lever 55 to cooperate with ears 63 of the indexing cam 48. Each of the ears 63 is constructed and designed so as to select one of the time intervals desired for actuation of the switch.

In the operation of the variable time switch, as above described, rotation of switch shaft 12 will bring the shaft into out or off position by carnming of pin 56 against the surface of cam bracket extension which penetrates plate 22 vertically to join bracket 43 at junction 131. This out or off position also selects the first, or longest wash period by bringing the surface of index cam 43 against stop lever 55 which is spring loaded by spring 62. Index action between index cam 48 and stop lever 55 through three positions provides setting for three different wash periods. Shaft 12, when moved to out or off position also disengages slide bar 44 through the outward motion of actuating bar 42 which has integrally molded rails extending along rods 80 and 81 thereof to be guided by pin 47 staked to plate 15 of the switch, permitting molded cam 25 to slide axially along switch shaft 12 urged by conical spring 41. The molded cam 25 as described above is being permitted to slide axially along the shaft but is radially fixed thereon against rotation. Switch shaft 12 allows selection of one of three tracks 70, '71 or 72 on periphery of molded cam 25. The axial location of these outer tracks is established by cam surfaces 90, 90, 90" on inner plane surface of molded cam 60 contacting the end of cam bracket 43. After selecting the proper position, molded cam 25 is held in axial position by slide bar 44 locating against stepped hub 61 on molded cam 25. The slide bar is held against stepped hub 61 of molded cam 25 by means of spring 53. As stated, molded cam 25 although permitted to slide axially along switch shaft 12, is held in position radially by lock pin 45 and thus turns simultaneously with the timer cams, index cam and the spur gear. With switch shaft 12 in the out or off position, any portion of cycle may be selected. Actuating bar 42 is confined between terminal boards 15 and 15 and centered around the switch shaft and is prevented from rotating by guide pin 47.

Index spring 51 exerts pressure in one of the grooves of switch shaft 12 and is held in place by cam bracket 43 and index spring guide 46 as described above. Guide pin 52 holds down and guides one end of slide bar 44. Line switch spring 50 and its associated contacts are opened by outward motion of switch shaft 12 and actuating bar 42.

The variable wash timer switch of the present invention' is intended to be illustrative only of the scope thereof and since different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall. be interpreted as exemplary and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of fixed cams on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, said cams adapted to activate a series of electric circuits in sequence by means of switches associated therewith, an auxiliary cam movable horizontally on said shaft with reference to said fixed cams, said cam including a peripheral surface, said ripheral surface having a plurality of concentric cam tracks formed thereon, each of said tracks being of differ ent extent, one of said switches activating said electrical circuits being placed adjacent said tracks and adapted to be activated thereby selectively and for a period determined by the extent of said tracks, and means on a face of said auxiliary cam for individually selecting any one of said tracks so as to variably determine the length of time during which one of said switches may be activated.

A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a fixed cam on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, said cam adapted to activate an electric circuit by means of a switch associated therewith, an auxiliary cam movable horizontally on said shaft with respect to said fixed cam, said cam comprising a peripheral surface, said peripheral surface including a plurality of concentric cam tracks formed thereon, each of said tracks being of diiferent extent, a switch activating an electrical circuit being placed adjacent said tracks and adapted to be activated selectively and for a period determined by the extent of said tracks, and means on a face of said auxiliary cam for individually selecting only one of said tracks so as to variably determine the length of time during which said switches may be activated.

3. A time switch as in claim 2 including: a loading spring abutting said fixed cam and said auxiliary cam contained in the space therebetween separating the same.

4. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of fixed cams on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, said cams having surfaces adapted to activate a series of electric circuits in sequence by means of switches associated therewith, an auxiliary cam movable horizontally on said shaft with reference to said fixed cam, said cam comprising a peripheral surface, said peripheral surface including a plurality of separated concentric cam surfaces formed thereon, each of said surfaces being of different extent, said switches activating said electrical circuits being placed adjacent said cams and adapted to be activated thereby selectively and for a period determined by the extent of said tracks, and means connected to the front of said auxiliary cam for individually selecting any one of said concentric surfaces of said latter cam so as to variably determine the length of time during which said switches may be activated.

5. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of axially fixed cams on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, said cams adapted to activate a series of electric circuits in sequence by means of switches associated therewith, an auxiliary cam slideable axially on said shaft, said cam comprising a peripheral surface, said peripheral surface including a plurality of separate concentric cam tracks formed thereon, each of said tracks being of different extent from the others, one of said switches activating said electrical circuits being placed adjacent said tracks and adapted to be activated selectively and for a period determined by the individual extent of said tracks, and stop means in the front face of said auxiliary cam for individually defining and selecting only one of said tracks so as to variably determine the length of time during which said one switch may be activated.

6. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of axially fixed cams on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby as said shaft rotates, said cams adapted to activate a series of electric circuits in sequence by means of switches associated therewith, an auxiliary cam axially movable on said shaft, a spring placed between said fixed and auxiliary cams determining the lateral displacement of said latter cam, said auxiliary cam comprising a molded peripheral surface, said peripheral surface including a plurality of discretely separated cam tracks formed thereon, each of said tracks being of different circumferential extent, one of said switches activating said electrical circuits being placed adjacent said tracks and adapted to be activated thereby selectively and for a period determined by the extent of the selected track, and indexing means cooperatively associated with and on said auxiliary cam for individually selecting any one of said circumferential tracks so as to variably determine the length of time during which said switches may be activated.

7. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected to said motor to be rotated thereby, a plurality of fixed cams connected to said shaft and adapted to be moved thereby, a second cam assembly angularly adjustable and fixed with reference to said fixed cam and slideable along said shaft in discrete steps, plural actuable means governed by the angular position of said cams on said shaft, the duration during which each one of said actuable means is actuated being variable as determined by the slideable position of said second earn along said axis of said shaft.

8. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected to said motor to be rotated thereby, a plurality of fixed cams connected to said shaft and adapted to be moved thereby, a second cam assembly angularly adjustable and fixed with reference to said fixed cam and slideable along said shaft in discrete steps, plural actuable means governed by the angular position of said cams on said shaft, the duration during which each one of said actuable means is actuated being variable as determined by the slideable position of said second cam along said axis of said shaft and means connected to the front of said latter cam to positively select said predetermined duration of the actuable means.

9. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected to said motor to be rotated thereby, a plurality of fixed cams connected to said shaft and adapted to be moved thereby, a second cam assembly angularly fixed and adjustable with reference to said fixed cam and slideable along said shaft in discrete steps, plural actuable means governed by the angular position of said cams on said shaft, the duration during which each one of said actuable means is actuated being variable as determined by the slideable position of said second cam along said axis of said shaft, and means associated with said auxiliary cam for positively selecting said slideable position of said auxiliary cam along said shaft.

10. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected to said motor to be rotated thereby, a plurality of fixed cams connected to said shaft and adapted to be moved thereby, a second cam assembly radially fixed with reference to said shaft and slideable therealong in discrete steps, actuable means governed by the radial position of said auxiliary cam on said shaft, the duration during which said actuable means is actuated being variable as determined by the slideable position of said auxiliary cam along said axis of said shaft, and detent means including spring means wound about said shaft and contained between said fixed cams and said auxiliary cam and adapted to fix the axial position of said latter cam on said shaft.

11. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected to said motor to be rotated thereby, a plurality of fixed cams connected to said shaft and adapted to be moved thereby, a second cam assembly radially fixed with reference to said shaft and slideable therealong in discrete steps, actuable means governed by the radial position of said auxiliary cam on said shaft, the duration during which said actuable means is actuated being variable as determined by the slideable position of said auxiliary cam along said axis of said shaft, and retaining means including tension means abutting facing surfaces of said fixed and auxiliary cams and contained therebetween, a pin adapted to engage portions of said auxiliary cam, an indexing means placed on said shaft to determine the angular position thereof, and a lever cooperating therewith to control the axial position of said latter cam with respect to said actuable means.

12. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, and a shaft connected thereto, a plurality of fixed cams on said shaft and electric contacts moved by said cams to activate a series of electric circuits in sequence, an auxiliary cam axially adjustable with reference to said fixed cams and having a plurality of cam steps formed on the circumference thereof, a tensioning spring placed between said fixed cams and said auxiliary cam, means for positioning said auxiliary cam with respect to said fixed cams, said means including a plurality of depressions placed on the front surface of said cam, and a pin adapted to engage the same so as to move said auxiliary cam axially on said shaft.

13. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a gear train driven thereby and a cam shaft connected thereto, a plurality of fixed cams on said shaft and electric contacts moved by said cams to activate a series of electric circuits in sequence, an auxiliary cam having a plurality of cam steps formed on the circumference thereof, a tensioning spring placed therebetween, means for indexing said auxiliary cam with respect to said fixed cams, said means including a plurality of inclines placed on the front surface of said cam adapted to move said auxiliary cam axially on said shaft whereby the time that said circuits are operated is determined by the position of said auxiliary cam axially on said shaft.

14. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected thereto and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined frequency, a plurality of cams attached thereto and turned therewith, a second cam spaced from said fixed cams, said second cam being axially slidable along said shaft, spring means for maintaining a predetermined minimum spacing between said fixed cams and said second cam, means connected to said second cam for determining the compression in said spring means and the axial displacement of said cam along said shaft, said cams adapted to activate associated switch means placed next thereto, said second cam including means for variably determining the actuation period of its cooperating switches in accordance with the axial position of said second cam along said shaft.

15. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of fixed circular cams on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, circuit completion devices adapted to be activated by said cams to complete a series of electrical circuits in accordance with a determined time sequence pattern, an auxiliary cam separated from said fixed cams by means of a wound spring memher, said auxiliary cam having a circumferential surface integrally formed in a series of discretely spaced cam tracks, each of said tracks being of different extent than any other, additional circuit completion means associated with said tracks of said auixilary cam to activate electrical crcuits for a time dependent on the position of said individual circumferential surfaces with respect thereto, and means for positively defining which of said tracks on said auxiliary cam is operative, said means adapted to axially move said auxiliary cam on said shaft a selected distance therealong.

16. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of fixed circular cams on said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, circuit completion devices adapted to be activated by said cam to complete electrical circuits in accordance with a determined time sequence pattern, an auxiliary radial cam separated from said fixed cams by means of a spring member, said auxiliary cam having a circumferential surface integrally formed of a plurality of discretely spaced cam tracks, each of said tracks being of different extent than its neighbor, adidtional circuit completion means associated with said tracks of said auxiliary cam to activate electrical circuits for a time dependent on the position of said indi vidual cam surface with respect thereto, and means for positively defining which of said tracks on said auxiliary cam is operative, said means adapted to axially move said auxiliary cam on said shaft a distance determined by the length of time required for radial operation thereof.

17. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a cam shaft driven thereby, a plurality of fixed cams connected to said shaft adapted to be turned thereby, an auxiliary cam having its surface containing a plurality of integrally molded cam tracks, each of said tracks having a different length and being concentrically spaced from the others along said axis of said shaft, said auxiliary cam and said fixed cams having a spring compressed therebetween, a sleeve or bushing surrounding said axis abutting a face of said auxiliary cam and having a series of slots therein, said face further including a plurality of steps, a stationary pin adapted to engage a selected one of said steps so as to determine the amount of axial movement of said auxiliary cam along said shaft so as to select one of the tracks of said cam, and a bar adapted to engage one of the tracks of said bushing so as to maintain the axial adjustment thereof.

18. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected thereto and adapted to be rotated thereby at a predetermined frequency, a plurality of cams attached thereto and movable therewith, a second cam spaced from said fixed cams, said second cam being axially slideable along said shaft, spring means for maintaining a minimum of space between said fixed cams and said second cam, means connected to said second cam for determining the compression in said spring means and the axial displacement of said cam along said shaft, said cams adapted to activate associated switch means placed next thereto, said latter cam including means for variably determining the actuation period of said switches in accordance with the axial position of said second cam along said shaft.

19. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a shaft connected thereto and adapted to be rotated thereby at a predetermined frequency, a plurality of fixed cams attached thereto and movable therewith, a second cam spaced from said first cams, said second cam being axially adjustable and slideable along said shaft, spring means for maintaining a minimum of space between said fixed cams and said second cam, indexing means connected to said second cam for determining the compression in said spring means and the axial displacement of said cam along said shaft, said cams adapted to activate associated switch means placed next thereto, said second cam being unitarily constructed to have a series of molded facial steps and including circumferential means for variably determining the actuation period of one of said switches in accordance with the axial position of said second cam along said shaft.

20. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a cam shaft rotated by said motor at a predetermined frequency, a fixed cam assembly connected to said shaft and movable therewith, and a second cam assembly slideably movable with respect thereto along said shaft, switch means adapted to be controlled by said cams, said switch means of said latter assembly being variably controlled in time in accordance with the radial rotation of a portion thereof and dependent upon the slideable position of said latter assembly along said shaft.

21. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a cam shaft rotated by said motor at a predetermined frequency, a fixed cam assembly connected to said shaft and movable therewith, a second cam assembly slideably movable with respect thereto along said shaft, switch means adapted to be controlled by said cams, said switch means of said latter assembly being variably controlled in time in accordance with the radial rotation of a portion thereof dependent upon the slideable position of said latter assembly along said shaft, and indexing means for predeterminedly selecting said portion of said latter assembly so as to fix the duration of time during which said switch is under control.

22. A timer switch comprising a drive motor, a cam shaft rotated by said motor at a predetermined frequency, a fixed cam assembly connected to said shaft and movable therewith, a second cam assembly slideably movable with respect thereto along said shaft, switch means adapted to be controlled by said cam, said switch means of said latter assembly being variably controlled in time in accordance with the radial rotation of a portion thereof dependent upon the slideable position of said latter assembly along said shaft, and a radial position indexing means for said second cam assembly including spring means and a lever for predeterminedly selecting and locking said assembly to said shaft soas to determine the duration of time during which said switch is under control.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,495,020 Hall May 20, 1924 2,357,225 Roesch et al Aug. 29, 1944 2,619,557 Illian Nov. 25, 1952 

